Storyhouse Fall 2024 Finale
One night. One stage. Fifteen stories about research at Western University.
Join us for an evening unlike any other, as Western's Storyhouse presents live narrative performances that explore new research through storytelling
Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 7PM in Conron Hall (UC 3110)
Questions? Email story@uwo.ca
Our mission is to use creative storytelling to connect people with knowledge they can put into action. The Storyhouse is a pilot collaboration between Western Research and the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Applying the go-along method to enhance understandings of occupation in context
Occupational scientists and therapists face challenges in fully understanding the complex nature of everyday human activities due to their often tacit and context-dependent nature. This study proposes the use of the "go-along" method, which combines observation and interviewing techniques, as an effective approach to gain deeper insights into occupations within their natural settings. By providing researchers with a more immersive and dynamic way to explore human activities, this method could potentially lead to more comprehensive and nuanced understandings of occupation, ultimately informing better practices in occupational therapy and related fields.
Storyteller: Ankita Mishra, 3210F POLS US-Canada Relations CEL student
Inspired by the research of Carri Hand
Clothes, Sensory Experiences and Autism: Is Wearing the Right Fabric Important?
Autistic individuals often experience discomfort with certain textures, but we don't know much about how this affects their daily lives. This study found that some fabrics can significantly impact the well-being of autistic adults, and many have developed their own strategies to cope with challenging textures. Understanding these sensory experiences could lead to more autism-friendly environments and products, potentially improving quality of life for many autistic individuals.
Storyteller: Angwara (Book) Nilanont, MedSci 4995E CEL student
Inspired by the research of Rachel Forrester-Jones
Women suffer but men die: survey data exploring whether this self-reported health paradox is real or an artefact of gender stereotypes
This study explores why women consistently report poorer health than men despite living longer, examining whether differences in life experiences and interpretations of health measures between genders could explain this paradox. The researchers found that women consider a wider range of factors when rating their health and mental health, but both genders interpret these measures similarly overall, suggesting that women's reported health disadvantage is real and not due to differences in how they understand health. These findings may help healthcare professionals and policymakers better understand and address gender-specific health concerns, potentially leading to more tailored interventions and improved health outcomes for both women and men.
Storyteller: Olivia Catherine Taylor, 3210F POLS US-Canada Relations CEL student
Inspired by the research of Afshin Vafaei
Exploring romantic need as part of mental health social care practice
This article examines the experiences of individuals with mental health problems in forming and maintaining romantic relationships. The researchers conducted focus groups with people with mental health problems, their carers, and mental health professionals. Participants from all three groups agreed that romantic relationships are important for overall well-being, and they expressed concern about the lack of support in this area for individuals with mental health issues. People with mental health problems reported various challenges, such as symptoms, medication side effects, stigma, lack of confidence, and fear of disclosing their mental health problems. Carers emphasized the vulnerability and potential stress associated with these relationships. Mental health professionals admitted that they rarely addressed romantic relationships and sexual intimacy in their work. The study highlights the need for staff training to provide better support in this aspect of mental health care.
Storyteller: John Curran Krupa, 3002A Integrated Science CEL student
Inspired by the research of Rachel Forrester-Jones
Stigma and Adults with Tourette’s Syndrome: “Never Laugh at Other People’s Disabilities, Unless they have Tourette’s—Because How Can You Not?”
People with Tourette's syndrome often face unfair treatment and mockery in society, but we don't know much about how this affects their daily lives. This study found that adults with Tourette's in the UK experience discrimination in many areas, especially in education, social situations, public transport, and work, which negatively impacts their quality of life. These findings suggest that more efforts are needed to reduce stigma and improve support for people with Tourette's syndrome, potentially leading to better social inclusion and opportunities for those living with the condition.
Storyteller: Leena Mohamed Faleel, MedSci 4995E CEL student
Inspired by the research of Rachel Forrester-Jones
“We are stewards and caretakers of the land, not exploiters of resources”: A qualitative study exploring Canadian farmers’ perceptions of environmental sustainability in agriculture
Many people, including researchers, have misconceptions about which farming practices are environmentally sustainable, often overlooking the efforts of conventional farmers. This study interviewed 52 Canadian farmers from various regions and farm types to understand their views on environmental sustainability and the practices they use. The results showed that many farmers are already implementing sustainable practices and technologies, challenging the notion that entire food systems need to be transformed to be environmentally friendly. These findings could help inform more accurate and balanced agricultural policies, educational curricula, and public understanding of sustainable farming practices, potentially leading to better support for farmers and more effective environmental strategies in agriculture.
Storyteller: Zachary Stephano Fazari, 3210F POLS US-Canada Relations CEL student
Inspired by the research of June Matthews
Canadian Midwives’ Experiences with Nutrition in Their Training and Practice: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Midwives play a crucial role in providing prenatal care, including nutrition advice, but little was known about Canadian midwives' experiences and education in this area. This study found that most Canadian midwives value nutrition during pregnancy, with the majority having received some nutrition education and providing advice that largely aligns with national guidelines. These findings suggest that midwives are well-positioned to offer nutrition guidance to pregnant women, but there may be opportunities to enhance their training and confidence in certain nutrition topics to further improve prenatal care in Canada.
Storyteller: Navya Narukulla, MedSci 4995E CEL student
Inspired by the research of Jasna Twynstra
Empowering and supporting frontline providers in the paediatric-adolescent HIV response: results from participatory priority-setting and group discussions in twenty-four sites in twelve high HIV-burden African countries
This study looks into how to better support and empower health workers who care for kids and teenagers living with HIV in Africa. The team talked with 801 health workers in 24 places across 12 African countries where HIV is a big problem. They found out what these health workers need to do their jobs better. They discovered that health workers want better mental health support, more teamwork, better training, enough tools and space to work, and to feel appreciated by their communities and leaders. The study suggests that to help young people living with HIV, there needs to be more support for these health workers, including improving their work conditions and making sure they have the resources they need.
Storyteller: Muhammad Rahim Khan, 3210F POLS US-Canada Relations CEL student
Inspired by the research of Lesley Gittings
Contested occupation in place: Experiences of inclusion and exclusion in seniors’ housing
This article explores the experiences of older adults living in a seniors-only apartment building and how they can feel included or excluded. The researchers used a concept called "contested occupation in place" to understand these experiences. The data for this study were gathered through participatory action research, which involved observing and taking notes throughout the project and conducting interviews with residents. The analysis focused on issues related to occupation in place, such as collective occupations and tensions in communal spaces. The findings highlight how certain collective occupations in the building's common room were contested, leading to exclusionary practices. It is important to pay attention to power dynamics and identify exclusionary practices when studying occupation in place. Further research can explore how these dynamics reflect larger societal dynamics and investigate other living settings for older adults.
Storyteller: Malavika Nair, 3002A Integrated Science CEL student
Inspired by the research of Carri Hand
“I can’t remember the last time I was comfortable about being home”: lived experience perspectives on thriving following homelessness
This article examines the experiences of individuals who have experienced homelessness and their perspectives on what is needed to thrive after being homeless. The researchers conducted interviews with 46 people living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder, some of whom were currently homeless and some who had found housing following homelessness. They also used a method called photovoice with a subsample of 14 participants. The analysis revealed four main themes: the importance of housing, finding and maintaining social connections, engaging in meaningful activities, and struggling to access mental health supports. The findings suggest that individuals face difficulties in thriving due to a lack of resources, and there is a need to expand interventions beyond simply sustaining tenancy.
Storyteller: Liam Guttman, 3002A Integrated Science CEL student
Inspired by the research of Carrie Anne Marshall
Mothers’ Experience of Stigma in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a highly stigmatized phenomenon which has consequences on individuals’ ability to cope and seek help for the abuse. Mothers who experience IPV face unique challenges when it comes to raising their children. The existing literature on the intersection between IPV and mothering has highlighted that the stigma experienced by mothers who have experienced IPV is directly related to their mothering practices and experiences. As such, the aim of this scoping review was to gain a deeper understanding of how stigma related to mothering in the context of experiencing IPV has been understood in the existing literature.
Storyteller: Julia Sek, MScN Candidate
Inspired by the research of Julia Sek, Kimberley Jackson, and Julia Yates
Exploring Young Women’s Perceptions of Their Food Skills
Young women often overestimate their food safety knowledge, which is concerning as they often handle food preparation for their families. This study found that many young women lack confidence in food safety and storage skills, with some even avoiding cooking meat due to safety concerns. These findings suggest that targeted food safety education for young adults, particularly focusing on cross-contamination, sanitation, and safe cooking temperatures, could lead to improved dietary choices and reduced risk of foodborne illnesses in households.
Storyteller: Lily Zhu, 4920F Seminar in Biology CEL student
Inspired by the research of June Matthews
Weighing the risks and benefits: Parental perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines for 5- to 11-year-old children
Parents face difficult decisions about whether to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, but we don't fully understand what influences their choices. This study found that parents weigh the risks and benefits of vaccination, with those who vaccinate their children worrying about spreading COVID-19 and long-term effects, while those who don't vaccinate are more concerned about potential vaccine side effects. These findings suggest that health officials and doctors could build more trust with parents by being more transparent about how vaccine recommendations are made and by having open conversations about the individual risks and benefits for each child.
Storyteller: Omar Kanaa Alhalabi, 4920F Seminar in Biology CEL student
Inspired by the research of Anushka Ataullahjan
Poorer subjective mental health among girls: Artefact or real? Examining whether interpretations of what shapes mental health vary by sex
This article explores why girls tend to report poorer mental health than boys, despite exhibiting greater resilience and academic achievement. The researchers conducted an online survey for youth aged 13-18 to understand their interpretations of self-rated mental health (SRMH) and the factors that influenced their ratings. They found that, overall, the circumstances considered important for SRMH were similar for both girls and boys. However, there were some differences in focus. Boys paid more attention to factors like sense of identity, physical well-being, and screen time, while girls placed more importance on having a boyfriend or girlfriend, comparisons with peers, and school performance. Nevertheless, factor analysis revealed common domains of resilience, behavior/community, family, relationships with peers, and future vision for both girls and boys. This suggests that girls' poorer SRMH is not due to a different interpretation of mental health, but rather may be influenced by perceived or real disadvantages in their individual or social circumstances. Additionally, the researchers propose that girls' greater resilience might lead them to rate their mental health lower as a way to motivate future achievements and avoid complacency. Overall, the study suggests that the subjective measure of mental health is valid for both girls and boys.
Storyteller: Sereena Regis, 4920F Seminar in Biology CEL student
Inspired by the research of Afshin Vafaei
Increasing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Rare Disease Clinical Trials
Clinical trials for rare diseases often struggle to include a diverse range of participants, which can limit the usefulness of research findings. This article explores ways to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in rare disease research, with a particular focus on genetic diversity. The authors found that while progress is being made, there is still work to be done to ensure that clinical trials represent all affected populations. By improving diversity in rare disease research, we may not only benefit those with rare conditions but also discover new approaches that could advance medical research as a whole.
Storyteller: Ripon Singh, 4920F Seminar in Biology CEL student
Inspired by the research of Simeon Scott Baker
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This showcase of research from the Faculty of Health Sciences is presented by this term's Storyhouse cohort. The Storyhouse is a professional development opportunity for students and staff, as well as a faculty support for researchers, that integrates knowledge mobilization, science communication, narrative theory, and performance studies.
